Viewing the Moon

Even a small telescope can reveal an enormous amount of detail on
the surface of the Moon.

This table provides simulated images and other data for the Moon
every Monday that it is visible this semester. The dates link to
images showing how the Moon will appear that evening. The altitude
column gives the angle in degrees between the Moon and the horizon at
20:30 HST (8:30 pm) as seen from Honolulu; large
altitudes are easier to observe. The diameter column gives the Moon's
angular diameter, measured in minutes of arc. The phase column
indicates the angle of sunlight in degrees.

Web Resources

Animation showing the Moon as seen from the Earth from
01-Aug-08 at 00:00 UT to 31-Dec-08 at 18:00
UT (31-Jul-08 at 14:00 HST to
31-Dec-08 at 08:00 HST). Besides the obvious
changes in phase, this animation also shows the variation in the
Moon's apparent diameter and the ``wobbling'' motion known as
libration. Generated using Solar System
Simulator (Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech).

Free software which simulates the appearance of the Moon at
any time. You can zoom in, scan across the surface for
interesting formations, and click on specific features to
display names and other information. This software is only
available for Windows operating systems.